Former coach John Aloisi says Melbourne City's A-League season will soon be over if the club can't overhaul their inept defence.
City were belted 5-1 by Wellington Phoenix on Sunday, piling pressure on beleaguered coach John van `t Schip to turn around a string of poor A-League performances.
Van `t Schip's side are on track to leak the most goals in A-League history and have just one win in eight matches.
It's a stress familiar to one-time Melbourne Heart boss Aloisi, who led the side before it was bought and rebranded by Manchester City earlier this year.
Like van `t Schip, he came under pressure for a losing streak and was eventually shown the door last December after a 17-game winless run.
But Aloisi said the Dutchman shouldn't be worried about a sudden sacking at the hands of the club's new owners.
"I'm sure they understand that in the A-League it doesn't happen so quick sometimes," he said.
"The owners will make decisions when they think the time is right.
"(But) I don't think they'll make changes suddenly."
Aloisi said City had to overhaul their defensive structure - statistically the worst defenders in A-League history - if they were to start winning matches.
"I think they've been quite poor in that aspect ... they have to try to get something organised," he told AAP.
"It's the whole defensive structure, not only the back four."
"It's eight games, but they don't want it to keep on going like this.
"Then their season could be over very early."
City's form is especially disappointing considering van `t Schip's hot streak after resuming the coaching role last Christmas.
Six wins in seven games had fans hoping the new season and new investment would avoid another slow A-League start.
It hasn't eventuated, and instead they're being slammed by the likes of former Socceroo Mark Bosnich for a "disgraceful" effort in Wellington.
Aloisi still has hopes the club can resurrect their season - beginning on Sunday afternoon with the visit of Brisbane Roar - if they can get some confidence back.
"Once they get their first clean sheet, then their confidence (will come)."
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